Crops worth millions washed off in Chhattisgarh rains

After braving a poor monsoon, farmers in Chhattisgarh are again facing testing times as unabated rains since Tuesday have destroyed their paddy crops stored in open grounds.

After braving a poor monsoon, farmers in Chhattisgarh are again facing testing times as unabated rains since Tuesday have destroyed their paddy crops stored in open grounds.

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"Despite a poor monsoon, the farmers showed courage this kharif season and somehow managed through loans. They had stocked the paddy in open fields for procurement process but the heavy unseasonal rains destroyed their paddy," said an official of the agriculture department.

The agriculture department has estimated the loss in millions.

The state government started procuring paddy from about a million farmers Nov 1 in all the 18 districts through co-operative societies at Rs.1,030 per quintal of common variety and Rs.1,060 for grade-A paddy.

Chhattisgarh is a major paddy growing state in the country. Last year, around 4.4 million tonnes of paddy were procured in the state by the government.